The Kirkus Prize is one of the richest literary awards in the world, with a prize of $50,000 bestowed annually to authors of fiction, nonfiction and young readers’ literature. It was created to celebrate the 81 years of discerning, thoughtful criticism Kirkus Reviews has contributed to both the publishing industry and readers at large. Books that earned the Kirkus Star with publication dates between November 1, 2015, and October 31, 2016 (see FAQ for exceptions), are automatically nominated for the 2016 Kirkus Prize, and the winners will be selected on November 3, 2016, by an esteemed panel composed of nationally respected writers and highly regarded booksellers, librarians and Kirkus critics.

KIRKUS REVIEW

Wickstrom draws inspiration from her own family for a Corduroy-like episode featuring a child and a bear with a boo-boo. Rummaging through a yard-sale box, young Sosha finds a small fuzzy bear with a tear in its belly. She leaves it behind at first, but eventually comes back to claim it (“Daddy, maybe that shaggy old bear feels lonely”), takes it home, has it stitched up by a “doctor” (Mommy), then makes a set of clothes for it. Arranged into three discrete mini-episodes, this girl-meets-bear tale is told in simple cartoons over brief snatches of monologue, with a charm that perfectly captures that special relationship and should please all young listeners deeply attached to their plush companions. (Picture book. 3-6)

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